Never Forget Again Flashcards
Who was Hermann Ebbinghaus and what did he set out to prove in 1878?
Hermann Ebbinghaus was a German psychologist who aimed to prove that higher mental processes, like memory, could be studied scientifically.
What was Ebbinghaus’s experiment method and why was it extreme?
He used 2,300 nonsense syllables (e.g., “daw,” “ked,” “za”) to avoid prior knowledge influencing his results. One session included 15,000 recitations.
What major discovery did Ebbinghaus make in 1885?
Ebbinghaus discovered that memory is subject to exponential loss, meaning it declines sharply right after learning something.
How did Ebbinghaus’s memory improve with repeated learning?
With spaced repetition, Ebbinghaus’s memory retention improved, allowing him to retain information for weeks or even months.
What is the “forgetting curve” and why is it important?
The forgetting curve shows that memory loss is steep at first, but with spaced repetition, memory retention improves over time.
What is the “spacing effect” in memory retention?
The spacing effect states that information becomes more memorable when reviewed multiple times over extended periods.
What is the “lag effect” in learning?
The lag effect says that spaced repetition with longer intervals between review sessions enhances memory retention.
What is “overlearning,” according to Ebbinghaus?
Overlearning involves reviewing material even after it seems mastered, which helps create long-term memory.
What is the problem with traditional review methods, like flashcards?
Traditional review methods often involve reviewing material you already know well, wasting time and energy.
What is the Leitner box system for studying?
The Leitner box organizes flashcards into five boxes based on how well you know the information, with harder cards reviewed more often.
How can you combine spaced repetition with visual mnemonics?
Combining spaced repetition with visual markers or memory palaces enhances memory retention and reduces review time.
How can spaced repetition make learning faster and more effective?
Spaced repetition helps you review information just before forgetting, optimizing learning and reducing time spent on unnecessary review.
